In South Africa, urbanized environments are often studied individually, not taking the surrounding natural environment into account (McConnachie and Shackleton, 2012: 2). Current approaches focussing on the integration of Urban Planning and Urban Ecology seek to address these issues of integrated planning. Urban Ecology practice aims to describe the study of (1) humans in human settlements, of (2) nature in human settlements, and of (3) the joined relationships between humans and nature. Urban Ecology thus forms a major part of Urban and Spatial Planning, with regard to the objectives of sustainable planning and development, green infrastructure planning, and resilience. The role and impact of green spaces to support sustainable human settlements are no new phenomenon (Byrne & Sipe, 2010: 7). This is related to the different benefits which nature provides, referred to in this research as ecosystem services (or environmental benefits) of green spaces. Green spaces, in this sense, are fundamental areas in human settlements, in need of intentional and structured planning approaches to enhance sustainability and said environmental benefits. It is important to realise that the environment in urbanized areas is dependent on the local communities (in terms of conservation and appropriate planning approaches), but that local communities (society) are also dependent on the environment (in terms of certain benefits which are provided by the said green spaces and environment). Rural settlements in South Africa experience various problems and challenges in terms of planning for the environment through green spaces (as well as sustainability), mainly as a result of the fragmentation of these rural areas, the existence of lost spaces, urbanisation, urban sprawl and poverty (Trancik, 1986; Barnett, 1995; IIED, 2000; DEAT, 2006; McMahan et al, 2002). This research attempted to address the challenges of integrated planning and green space provision in a local rural context, by means of: (1) A literature study encompassing research on Urban Ecology; Urban Planning; environmental dimension of planning; provision of ecosystem services; green infrastructure planning; resilience, and relevant policies and legislation; (2) An empirical investigation and comparative evaluation of international case studies, along with a local case study; and (3) drawing conclusions and recommendations for the local case study, based on the international approaches and identified best-practices. This research evaluated the spatial and environmental benefits of green space and enhanced the importance of planning for such benefits in rural South African areas. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In South Africa, urbanized environments are often studied individually, not taking the surrounding natural environment into account (McConnachie and Shackleton, 2012: 2). Current approaches focussing on the integration of Urban Planning and Urban Ecology seek to address these issues of integrated planning. Urban Ecology practice aims to describe the study of (1) humans in human settlements, of (2) nature in human settlements, and of (3) the joined relationships between humans and nature. Urban Ecology thus forms a major part of Urban and Spatial Planning, with regard to the objectives of sustainable planning and development, green infrastructure planning, and resilience. The role and impact of green spaces to support sustainable human settlements are no new phenomenon (Byrne & Sipe, 2010: 7). This is related to the different benefits which nature provides, referred to in this research as ecosystem services (or environmental benefits) of green spaces. Green spaces, in this sense, are fundamental areas in human settlements, in need of intentional and structured planning approaches to enhance sustainability and said environmental benefits. It is important to realise that the environment in urbanized areas is dependent on the local communities (in terms of conservation and appropriate planning approaches), but that local communities (society) are also dependent on the environment (in terms of certain benefits which are provided by the said green spaces and environment). Rural settlements in South Africa experience various problems and challenges in terms of planning for the environment through green spaces (as well as sustainability), mainly as a result of the fragmentation of these rural areas, the existence of lost spaces, urbanisation, urban sprawl and poverty (Trancik, 1986; Barnett, 1995; IIED, 2000; DEAT, 2006; McMahan et al, 2002). This research attempted to address the challenges of integrated planning and green space provision in a local rural context, by means of: (1) A literature study encompassing research on Urban Ecology; Urban Planning; environmental dimension of planning; provision of ecosystem services; green infrastructure planning; resilience, and relevant policies and legislation; (2) An empirical investigation and comparative evaluation of international case studies, along with a local case study; and (3) drawing conclusions and recommendations for the local case study, based on the international approaches and identified best-practices. This research evaluated the spatial and environmental benefits of green space and enhanced the importance of planning for such benefits in rural South African areas. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Detta kandidatarbete syftar till att utreda om Urban Forestry kan tillföra något till svensk planering. Urbanisering har skett under en lång tid och för att tillgodose det växande behovet av bostäder har förtätning av staden skett, vilket ofta har gjorts på bekostnad av städers grönska. För att hantera utmaningarna med att integrera grönska i täta städer har ett behov av nytänkande grönplanering uppkommit. Urban Forestry anses vara en lösning på denna problematik och fokuserar på att skapa gröna städer där det inte finns ytor kvar för traditionella parker. För att undersöka om Urban Forestry tillför något nytt till svensk planering utreds grönplaneringens utveckling genom tiderna samt företeelsen Urban Forestry genom en litteraturstudie. Urban Forestry visade sig vara ett vagt och svårdefinierat begrepp, dessutom är de vetenskapliga grunderna för dess positiva miljöeffekter bristande. Dock bidrar Urban Forestry med uppmärksammande av miljö- och hållbarhetsfrågor, och visar goda ambitioner och initiativ till att utveckla och förbättra grönplanering. När den svenska grönplaneringen sattes i relation till Urban Forestry visade det sig att de bärande idéerna redan är representerade inom existerande grönplanering i Sverige. / This bachelor thesis aims to investigate if the concept of Urban Forestry could bring new knowledge into Swedish urban planning. Urbanization has taken place for a long time and in order to meet the growing need for housing, densification of the city has taken place, which has often been done at the expense of urban greenery. In order to deal with the challenges of integrating greenery into dense cities, a need for innovative green planning has arisen. Urban Forestry as a concept is considered a solution to this problem and focuses on creating greenery in cities where limited areas for traditional parks are available. In order to investigate whether Urban Forestry adds something new to Swedish planning, the development of green planning over time and the concept of Urban Forestry is investigated. Urban Forestry turned out to be vague and difficult to define, and the scientific basis for the concept’s arguments are lacking. However, Urban Forestry contributes attention to environmental and sustainability issues, and shows good ambitions and initiatives to develop and improve green planning. When Swedish green planning was put in relation to Urban Forestry, the outcome was that the ideas in the concept were already represented within existing green planning.